Beets Have More Health Benefits Than You Probably Realize.
Karen Fitzpatrick-Dame, ChhC, AADP
That's because people just don't understand the BEET.
You look at a beet and think, 'What can it do for me? BEETS actually have more benefits than you would think.
BEETS are low in calories and high in phytonutrients, healthy compounds produced by plants. The first thing that comes to mind when looking at a beet is the color. The more color a vegetable or fruit has, the more phytonutrients it has.
Appreciation of the BEET'S medicinal properties dates back to the ancient Romans, who used it to treat constipation, improve circulation, fight fevers and even considered it an aphrodisiac. But modern science has zeroed in on just what gives the beet its healing powers.
BEETS are high in nitrates which improve cardiovascular health in several ways. Some studies show that beets lower high blood pressure and increase blood flow. They increases oxygen uptake, lengthening the time it takes to become fatigued, which allows people to stay active longer.
BEETS also contain antioxidants, compounds in foods that help repair DNA and maintain good cell health, and they have anti-inflammatory properties, reducing the risk for numerous chronic diseases. Because of this, the beet is gaining popularity as a nutritional approach in managing cardiovascular disease and cancers.
BEETS are low in fat and high in fiber. Half a cup of boiled beets contains 0.15 grams of fat and 1.7 grams of fiber, according to the US Department of Agriculture. They are rich in vitamins C, A and K, which contribute to good bone health, along with several other B vitamins, which may protect against dementia and memory loss by improving blood flow to the brain.
They also include high levels of folate (vitamin B9), important for healthy cell growth and red blood cell formation. A half-cup serving of boiled beets has 68 micrograms of folate, which provides 17% of the daily value of the vitamin. That's significant when you're talking about just one food.
Most studies on the health benefits of beets are based on drinking beets, but beets also can be beneficial when consumed raw, in salads, boiled, baked, turned into chips or eaten dried. Beets can be pickled so they can be enjoyed year-round. Like the roots, the leaves can be eaten and contain high levels of vitamins A, K, C and E.
The Beet Lady Beet Food Nutritional Therapy blends are formulated with real fruits that deliver additional health benefits which make it easy to incorporate into your daily health routine.